Are The Buffalo Bills About to Have a Serious James Cook Problem?

The star running back is in the final year of his rookie contract, and his social media activity may cause some concern for Bills Mafia.

The Buffalo Bills overcame a lot to have a 13-4 season and a trip to the AFC championship. Many experts had the Bills falling down the standings dramatically after they traded away Stefon Diggs and released several key veterans last offseason. They, of course, were wrong. The Bills scored the most points of any team this season on offense. While MVP Josh Allen led that effort, Running Back James Cook played a huge part in making the Bills offense potent.

Cook, a second-round pick of the Bills in 2022, put together a very productive season. While it wasn't his most productive in total yards, which was in 2023, he scored a whopping 18 touchdowns, 16 of which were on the ground. He showed excellent big play ability and gave the Bills a bonafide threat out of the backfield, rounding out their offense

Cook will be an important piece for the Bills as they try to compete for a Super Bowl again, but there may be trouble.

James Cooks' Contract

Cook is in the final year of his 4-year rookie contract. He is scheduled to have a $5.6 million cap hit next season and is due for a new contract. If a new deal isn't reached, he will become an unrestricted free agent. A running back of his stature will command a large salary, and it looks like we know how much he might want. He pinned "15 mil years" to his women's Instagram Live. To read more about that, CLICK HERE.

Now, he appears to have taken further steps on social media.

Are The Buffalo Bills About to Have a Serious James Cook Problem?

Cook appears to have unfollowed the Bills on Instagram and removed all of his Bills posts.

It appears Cook is clearly sending the Bills a message that he wants a new contract worth $15 million a year.

This kind of behavior over social media with athletes and contracts is not new, though annoying to some fans. Stefon Diggs was seen as problematic for his social media behavior, which Bills Mafia was not thrilled with. The hard part is knowing exactly what is going on. It's very hard to deny there's a problem, but there's no way to know if they are negotiating a new contract right now and it's not going well. Or, fi Cook is doing this premetively to send an early message. No one but Cok and the Bills know, and that can be frustrating to fans.

Also, fans will have strong opinions about paying him $15 million a year. That kind of money would make him the second-highest-paid running back in the league, only behind Christian McCaffery and above Saquon Barkley. Some will not think he is worth that, while others absolutely will.

In my opinion, not that it matters, is that the team has bigger defense needs to address before Cook is given a hefty contract. The Bills had more of a three-headed monster this season than one dominant back. Ty Johnson and Ray Davis both had big games and moments. The Bills use their backs much like they use their defensive line, constantly bringing in fresh legs and different looks. That calls into question just how valuable Cook might be. However, his big play ability can't be questioned. I don't think the BIlls are wrong to want to sign him to a large deal. I just prefer it happen after other moves ar made.

What do you think about all of this? Let us know on our app.